The Last House on Needless Street LIVE SHOW [The Book Troop]

Hey! So excited to discuss this months buddy read The Last House on Needless Street with everyone! I'm stoked to be joined by my lovely friend Kayla to discuss this book! The live show will begin at 11am PST on Friday, October 29th, and the beginning will be spoiler free if you just want to hang out, we will warn you before jumping into spoilers!
Kayla's channel: / booksandlala

[@Apathist1408]

Why was the ending so wholesome when he like accepts himself and is opening up to the world I literally was tearing uo

[@emh7687]

*spoilers* I was convinced that Ted was the one who kidnapped Lauren (?), and that Olivia wasn’t really a cat, that she was just another little girl that he had kidnapped and “trained” to act like a cat

[@hellohaley45]

I had this thought too!!

[@kaylasmith6745]

I didn't even catch the Russian Doll reference and how that was relevant to the twist. Love that Kayla pointed it out. This is one of my favorite books of this year and I only read it for this book club so I'm glad it was chosen!

[@MikaylaBrie]

In the section with Dee on the beach the day Lulu goes missing, they reference how Lulu likes her hair short and often gets mistaken for a boy! I liked that detail when they reveal Ted's mother only targeted boys.

[@reanna187]

💚 Audiobook 3/5 my little sister has a multiple personality disorder and has some characteristics of DiD but she it’s not anything like Ted in the book. With Ted it’s very obvious he needs help and with my sister you really wouldn’t know unless you knew her very well. I was able to pick up what was going on in the plot just because I was able to recognize some of Ted behaviors. Which I think is a real testament to the author on how well she portrayed mental illness. I also really love the fact that for once someone with a mental illness wasn’t the villain.

[@davidrichards9898]

Love the fact the evil mental health trope turned on its head. Even when i was terrified of what Ted might be doing i couldnt help but sympathize and i love that his story stormed to the front and the standard serial killer formula dee dee was following, fell into a secondary tale. I hope your sister goes from strength to strength.

[@jellysolo]

I guessed the twist super early on, but was nervous throughout the entire rest of the experience that it was going to be another story villainizing/sensationalizing the topic. I was actually very caught off guard when that wasn't the case, that it was handled with obvious care, and to be honest I cried a lot over the hopeful and loving tone/message as it wrapped up. I can't speak from personal experience as to whether the situation was truly well represented or not, but I did feel an extremely obvious difference between this story's approach vs any other time I've ever seen this topic used as a plot device. this felt like more than that, and I appreciated it a lot, especially including the author's note at the end. I think I'll definitely pick up more from this author, and I thought the audiobook was incredible, I'll absolutely listen to more from him in the future! thanks for a great discussion 💜💜💜

[@gabbyreads]

I agree that this approach felt very respectfully done and like she did it with care!

[@Apathist1408]

I felt the emotion at the end too, I was tearing up at work just now listening to it.

[@KatieColson]

Even if I haven’t read the books, I love watching these live shows. It’s so interesting hearing you two talk about books. Also, it lets me know if I should pick the book up. Or if it’s more entertaining to hear you guys tell me what it was about

[@gabbyreads]

It’s so hard to recommend cause I’m not sure if it’ll be something you like or not 🤔 the twist is unexpected for sure, but also like not in the way you’d expect?? That doesn’t even make any sense lmaoo sorry 😅😅😅

[@analuisamachado9056]

I absolutely loved this book. The surprise effect about the actual problematic is just brilliant! And the work, the scientific articles that the author read to write the book made her an extraordinary author! She studied to write it! And it was not a couple of studies, you can see at the end of the book all the research she made. It’s a slap in your face, that end! 5 out of a f”cking 5 stars! I loved Olivia, and Catriona really knows how to write a cat thought, and the interaction with cats. She must have studied that too. Just perfect for these days we’re so starting to be aware that are so many mental health issues that we don’t know about, neither the roots of them. It’s A Horror book for Ted, definitely.

[@beckyjnobaptiste195]

I suspected that Ted, Olivia and Lauren were the same person by about 30% in. I realized that the carpet in the house was orange in the POV of Ted and Olivia but blue in the POV of Dee. Also, the fact that both Ted and Olivia described God in the same way. And of course, the scene with the leggings in the mall later on sealed the deal. I love your channel, Gabby! Happy 2022.

[@ARMY_ksoo]

I think that Shutter Island has similar vibes to this book, in a sense that you have to go through it twice to fully enjoy it :D It's also thrilling and psyhological

[@bethm7362]

I just finished this book. I almost DNFed it, but I’m glad I stuck with it. The payoff was worth it. I didn’t love this book, but I did enjoy that it was something different. I enjoyed listening to this discussion upon finishing it. It’s definitely one of those books that you want to talk about with other readers.

[@KK-er1vv]

This book was frikking amazing!! My favorite read of the year. It was so deceptively clever, and so immensely intriguing. I think it just shocked me and took me on a ride that I didn't expect. It was A-mazing.

[@heidilocke4763]

I totally agree it was BRILLIANT

[@amberc1356]

Wsw

[@KatieColson]

I had to come back and watch this after reading this book cause I was so CONFUSED about my thoughts and opinions

[@g-cellatwork5406]

I was very offput by the mall incident especially the part the people of the store didn't take the plea for help seriously. I was like, why?! I didn't know it is a big clue. Then it all clicked and made sense in the end. i

[@melissabereading]

I’m 50% through the book & I had to watch the whole thing because I was sooo nervous about the ending. I guessed the reason and I thought it was going to be something negative or super scary & I’m so glad it’s done responsibly. Now let me get back to the book & then I’ll come back & comment again lol

[@jjennyj77]

I literally just finished listening to the audiobook so I’m finally watching this!!

[@1984isnow]

I had checked out reviews from 1-5 stars before i read it, i WANTED to love it!, i just finished it 20 minutes ago, i seriously wish i DNFed this book!!, i rage read the last 50 pages

[@Toosimoo]

My two fave booktubers right here.

[@booksandjacks6428]

I hate being confused and lost! I still like this bc I wasn’t very confused until near the end. I loved the talking cat!

[@Hillary429]

The way the author confused time and played around with time and memory was really well done

[@alexgalloway3313]

💚 I absolutely loved this book!

[@daisyreadshorror3701]

Thank you for this video!!! It explained so much for me. I was so confused after reading this. But now some questions I had have been answered. 🖤

[@jessicapsychologicalthrill1018]

I’m reading this book now and home befor dark!!! Y’all are my favorite booktubers!!!

[@AlexiaM]

To me the biggest twist was his psychologist was basically making his DID worse with meds to write a book 🥴

[@lisasmoot314]

The therapist was definitely another personality. The ER doctor talks about how none of the meds were available from ten years ago so they must have been leftovers from his mother. I think I figured the main plot out sooner because it reminded me of an old book from thirty/forty years ago called Sybil (based on a true story). The Dee POV twist was a shocker though. Hated but liked the book. Weird. Hard to review/recommend!

[@ishashah6456]

That is such a great observation! Now that I think about it, it makes so much sense as to why there were no patients in the waiting room other than Ted and not even a receptionist. Plus I think the whole altercation that Ted had with the therapist in the bar area was imagined in a way that would convince/push Ted to suicide as he feared that his secret was out

[@booksandjacks6428]

Hello!!! I loved this book but I was confused at the end until I saw some review videos.

[@dr.suezettealoysiaandcarla1664]

💜💜💜👈🏽

[@pratikhatkar3597]

*Spoiler* Why did Ted's mother dump Lulu at the Chihuahua lady's place? And when and where she killed her? Still trying to figure out this part.

[@abbyhollenbaugh3654]

💚 this book was crazy!!!! So excited to hear your thoughts!

[@abbyhollenbaugh3654]

Mine was 5 stars bc there was sooooo many twists and turns. It was just fantastic

[@luizabertolini5556]

Hi! It's 2023 and I just finished reading this book - if anyone's still looking for movie recs with the same vibe: Identity (2003), Marrowbone (2017), and Shutter Island (2010) duh, The Machinist (2004), Unsane (2018) and Psycho (1998) 💚

[@ARMY_ksoo]

I was so lost while reading this! I was frustrated because I didn't know if it was paranormal or not. I love to speculate and guess what is going on and who is the culprit, but I can't do that if there is a whole paranormal world possibility :/ This took a lot of enjoyment from my reading experiance! I do think if I read it the second time I will enjoy it more, but for now it's a 3 star for me. Also, as Kayla mentioned, there is some confusing and unanswered things left in the story that lowers the rating for me :P

[@JungleOfMeat]

I'd love to know how you read so much. I love reading but after an hour I'm pretty much done. And I have to be in the right mood. Do you just do it because you don't do much else? Good channel BTW 👍

[@Cazzclark]

💚 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I only reluctantly semi-guessed plot, as I coincidentally watched part of a documentary on Netflix about a guy with multiple personality’s, so when the cat was watching the therapist on the TV, I was like “hang on wait” also the making their own place to hide, this was in the docu. (I always seem to find a way to spoil plot twists… 🤦‍♀️) (Although, I didn’t totally work it all out, as I thought Dee might also be Ted at one point)

[@aerisyacalis2580]

This book was so much fun! I kept thinking I could either hate this or love this, the entire book. But in the end I really enjoyed the writing! I guessed the ending early on, but that didn't bother me.

[@bethm7362]

I recommend, Words on Bathroom Walls for a great character read about schizophrenia.

[@booksandjacks6428]

I gave it 5 stars

[@idkwhattonamemyself9326]

This was such an interesting live!

[@nikkiholly3591]

I havnt read the book yet, but hoping to soon :)

[@leahbrundige6856]

But Ted was violent...he killed mice as well as the bug man

[@booksandjacks6428]

💚

[@booksandjacks6428]

I liked 56 Days a lot I have it 5 stars

[@stepha7822]

4 /5 for me - I didn't find this to be "enjoyable" perse, but it was SO GOOD!! Just finished a couple of hours ago and I'm honestly still processing! I gotta go back, but I thought Ted was an alter of Dee and her seeing him doing things were hallucinations?? Oh man this is messed up!

[@booksandjacks6428]

Kayla, I watched a little women last night! Loved it! ❤️❤️🧡

[@BooksandLala]

Omg I'm so glad!! I've been rewatching it like monthly since it came out 🙈🙈🙈

[@deanryland6663]

really liked this book rawblood by the same author was different to this but great too

[@kellyjohnston2977]

I read this book because it was a rec from a bookstore associate. I hated this book and feeling so confused, I felt it was way too hyped up and just fell flat for me

[@alyssasolis7326]

🖤

[@xgremlynnx]

***SPOILER*** I was only able to guess that Olivia was a part of Lauren, but not that they were both also Ted. And everything after that was unexpected for me, but it was amazing in my opinion. Especially the parts about Ted's mother. I knew she was abusive from the moment she was introduced into the story, but seeing just how bad it got and the end result was a lot. The afterword by the author really made it for me too, I cried at the hopeful message the book has.

[@xgremlynnx]

43:00 what the heck i literally read this thing between us and the last house on needless street back to back in the same week lol! loved them both! also loved i'm thinking of ending things. hated bunny though.

[@booksandjacks6428]

I read the physical book

[@robinmalmede3656]

the rug changing color really messed with me, i wish i could remember what was going on at those times when the rug was orange because maybe there was some hints there…i had no idea what was going on

[@robinmalmede3656]

also i was SO UNCOMFORTABLE at ted calling lauren “kitten” the whole time

[@dangerouskoala6611]

Where did she get a paper back version?

[@booksandjacks6428]

Was Dee a real person?

[@lisac3726]

💚💚💚💚💚

[@heidilocke4763]

5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ it was Brilliant

[@Amanda.aka.Megan.Shines]

I listened to the audiobook and I went in knowing nothing. Spoilers . . .I guessed the twist extremely early on. As soon as we got the first cat's POV I knew the little girl, ted and the daughter were all the same person. The cat called the girl and ted "Teds" and I know it was supposed to be like "oh, she's a cat, so she thinks Ted is the word for human," but it just furthered my theory that she literally meant multiples of Ted. I pushed through to 27% before I felt like I needed to stop and scope out the consensus of the twist. I saw a lot of people point to the author's note as being extremely illuminating, which the audiobook didn't seem to have. So, I got a copy of the ebook from the library and jumped to the author's note. I still felt like it wasn't adequately handled, so tried looking for own voices reviews. I couldn't find any, but I found several reviewers who are loved ones of someone with DID, or those who themselves have a mental illness that is often villanized, and they all rated it poorly. (I know Kayla points to a DID own voices reviewer, but this is what I was able to find a few weeks ago when I was reading it). I think if you have people believing that the MC is probably a dangerous killer and has a mental illness for the majority of the book, you are still contributing to the stigma. Even if your twist is "surprise, he has DID, but he's also a victim." I also didn't appreciate that the author spends time in the author's note trying to explain her "qualifications" for handling this topic, but doesn't mention sensitivity readers in the author's note or anywhere else that I've been able to find. Which, sorry, being fascinated with the novelty of it, watching a few videos, asking a trauma survivor therapist if it's real, and then spending one day talking to one system doesn't make it ok. I, too, have watched many hours of videos from multiple systems and I would NEVER think that makes it ok to use DID as a twist. If you want to have DID in a book while breaking the stigma, it would have been better to have both facts known from the start. 1) the MC has DID. 2) the MC is not the killer. You could still explore how the MC is treated because they have this extremely stigmatized and villanized illness, while still having the mystery of "if not MC, then who?" I mean, just replace DID with some other marginalized and demonized group. It would be like "discovering" trans people, watching a few videos on trans people, asking some medical professional (who doesn't even specialize in working specifically with trans people) if they think being trans is real, talking to one trans person once, and then deciding to write a thriller where the majority of the book you think the MC is a murder, their gender identity is constantly in question, and you are lead to believe that they possibly committed the murders because of something related to their gender identity. Then, the twist the MC is trans and they are actually also the victim of the real killer. The author's note also acts like having the DID stem from trauma is something unique for the portrayal of DID in media. In every instance of DID in media that I recall, the trauma is always mentioned as the root. "XYZ happened when they were too young to process it so their mind splintered to handle it." Even in the most problematic portrayals, they still point to a traumatic cause. It's not some novel, revolutionary addition. The only change is the person with DID wasn't the bad guy. Even though it reads like they are for most of the book. Especially since it started as a novel about a serial killer who kidnaps and tortures children and the only person he loves is his cat. After already having a chunk of the book written, the author "discovers" DID and decides THAT was what was missing from the story. For a book that as touted in the note as trying to dispel stigma, it is very alarming that the book perpetuates the stigma for most of the book, still uses the stigma as a twist (just subverting expectations so it's "ok"), and doesn't seem to have had any sensitivity readers. It all felt extremely icky.

[@jvever4904]

My thoughts exactly. Just because the author tried to do research on the topic and made the ending twist that the mentally ill person wasn't the killer after all doesn't do much to destigmatize having this specific condition since most of the book paints Ted as the villain. It felt exploitative.

[@jamesbaird1342]

Black heart

[@pearcegreatesteverleftback03]

I hated this book. So many questions left unanswered😷😡

[@booksandjacks6428]

Was the sister living across the street real?? Lol

[@kermitfrog593]

This books an overrated bore, don't say you weren't warned.

[@analuisamachado9056]

💚

[@LemoniestLemony]

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[@stephanieraab3330]

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[@funmibeeful]

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[@ruthypoo2675]

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